Song of America

From the Artist
"These are songs and medleys that everyone knows, they serve our country in war and in peace, and bind us all together in ways we cannot imagine. I have sung these songs at most of the over 3,500 shows that I have performed. I would like to dedicate this album to the many heroic people who have had tragedy befall them and their families".

Product Description
Song of America is a re-creation of our most cherished patriotic songs with grand orchestrations by famed arranger conductor, Randy Waldman, performed by the 64 piece LA Motion Picture Orchestra and a powerful, warm, stirring vocal performance by recording artist, Greg London. Only new recording of patriotic songs and includes instrumentals for sing alongs.

Song of America

Song of America,Greg London/LA Motion Picture Orchestra,The London Group,Patriotic popular music - Arranger, Randy Waldman, known for his work with such artists as Barbra Streisand and vocalist, Greg London teamed up to create the only newly arranged and recorded release of our countries timeless classics.

Average customer rating: Duets: An American Classic Better than it ought to be I'm gonna wear this one out Tony Bennett It really swings

Duets: An American Classic Tony Bennett Manufacturer: Sony ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | Jazz | Styles | Music Traditional Jazz General | Traditional Jazz & Ragtime | Jazz | Styles | Music Vocal Jazz General | Vocal Jazz | Jazz | Styles | Music General | Pop | Styles | Music General | Easy Listening | Pop | Styles | Music General | Vocal Pop | Pop | Styles | Music Traditional Pop | Oldies | Pop | Styles | Music Traditional Vocal Pop | Broadway & Vocalists | Styles | Music Sony | Computers Brands | Computers Features | Electronics | Desktops | Monitors | Networking | Notebooks Similar Items: From This Moment On Awake Love Wintersong James Taylor at Christmas ASIN: B000H0MKGU Release Date: 2006-09-26

Tracks:

1. LULLABY OF BROADWAY duet with Dixie Chicks
2. SMILE duet with Barbra Streisand
3. PUT ON A HAPPY FACE duet with James Taylor
4. THE GOOD LIFE duet with Billy Joel
5. THE SHADOW OF YOUR SMILE duet with Juanes
6. RAGS TO RICHES duet with Elton John
7. THE VERY THOUGHT OF YOU duet with Paul McCartney
8. COLD, COLD HEART duet with Tim McGraw
9. IF I RULED THE WORLD duet with Celine Dion
10. THE BEST IS YET TO COME duet with Diana Krall
11. FOR ONCE IN MY LIFE duet with Stevie Wonder
12. ARE YOU HAVIN ANY FUN? duet with Elvis Costello
13. BECAUSE OF YOU duet with k.d. lang
14. JUST IN TIME duet with Michael Bubl
15. THE BOULEVARD OF BROKEN DREAMS duet with Sting
16. I WANNA BE AROUND - duet with Bono
17. SING, YOU SINNERS duet with John Legend
18. I LEFT MY HEART IN SAN FRANCISCO
19. HOW DO YOU KEEP THE MUSIC PLAYING? duet with George Michael

Amazon.com

At this point, who else but Tony Bennett would have the clout to round up stars on the scale of Elton John, Paul McCartney, Bono, Celine Dion and Barbra Streisand for some duets? (Note also that unlike some similar projects, all the parties involved on this CD were alive when it was recorded!) The material consists of relatively obvious classics in standard big-band arrangements, and Bennett himself is in top form at age 80, so much so that he doesn't need anybody else to handle "I Left My Heart in San Francisco." But the fun comes from checking out how his collaborators fare. The Dixie Chicks provide wonderful Andrews Sisters-type harmonies on the percolating version of "Lullaby of Broadway" that opens the festivities. The best songs tend to be the ones where Bennett's slightly craggy voice is juxtaposed to smooth female ones, like Diana Krall on "The Best Is Yet to Come," familiar accomplice k.d. lang on the sultry "Because of You" and Streisand—-perhaps Bennett's only equal in stature at this point—on "Smile." Among the less expected guests, soulman John Legend is a revelation on the hard-swinging "Sing, You Sinners," while George Michael confirms he's quite the crooner on "How Do You Keep the Music Playing?" Elvis Costello, Celine Dion or Juanes don't sound as comfortable, and sometimes it feels as if they overdo it to compensate, but overall this collection is among the best of its kind, with most guests rising to the occasion. --Elisabeth Vincentelli

Amazon.com

Perfecting the art of excellence for over six decades, with 105 albums selling over 50 million copies, Tony Bennett has come to represent the essence of elegance, tradition and artistic accomplishments. Tony celebrates his 80th birthday recording Duets of his greatest hits with today's greatest artists: Bono, Michael Bublé, Elvis Costello, Celine Dion, Dixie Chicks, Billy Joel, Elton John, Juanes, Diana Krall, k.d. lang, John Legend, Paul McCartney, Tim McGraw, George Michael, Sting, Barbra Streisand, James Taylor, and Stevie Wonder.

More from Tony Bennett

The Art of Romance	A Wonderful World (with k. d. lang)	Perfectly Frank: An American Classic Celebrates 80
Basie Swings, Bennett Sings (DVD)	The Movie Song Album	The Classic Collection (Box Set)

Customer Reviews:

Duets: An American Classic.......2007-08-01

This is a lovely CD with my favorite singer Tony Bennett singing with so many celebrities. He shines through as always with finesse and charm. I am sure it was a great honor to all these celebrities to spend a cherished moment in time singing with one of the greats! I saw the taping of this CD on PBS and it made listening to the CD just that much more special.

Better than it ought to be.......2007-07-24

I bought this cd because I am a shameless hoarder of everything Diana Krall touches, plus I love the Dixie Chicks, and I am a flight attendant who leaves my heart in San Francisco with every take-off. I am not a huge Tony Bennett fan, but I love vocal jazz and the songbook of standards, so I figured how bad could it be? Going in with very moderate expectations, I was pleasantly surprised by this cd. It is fun to listen to because it was obviosuly fun for the artists to make. On almost every track, the mutual admiration and bottomless talent of Bennett and each of his guests allows the artists to relax and play with the music, with eminently listenable results. I have always hated "The Best is Yet To Come" until I heard T.B. and D.K. get together on it. Now it's one of my favorite songs! (as long as I listen to this version...) Sting amazes as a torch singer, and if you have ever doubted Michael Buble's chops, he'll make you believe on "Just in Time." If this is your style of music, you won't be disappointed.

I'm gonna wear this one out.......2007-07-19

What a great disc! Not only wonderful Tony, but some other great singers, as well. I listen to it in my car and then bring it in at home so I can listen some more. I fell in love with Tony Bennett in 1953 - even wrote him love letters. I was 13 and was thrilled when I received a signed glossy 8x10 photo from him. I belonged to his fan club. His "Rags to Riches" was on the radio a lot, and I had a little 45 player in my room to spin his records on. What a thrill to fall in love with him all over again in my old age! This album is a keeper. My favorite is his duet with Stevie Wonder, whose timing and sound are excellent. I wish there was a whole album of them together. Same with Diana Krall. Buy it. You won't be sorry.

Tony Bennett.......2007-07-16

Great duets, enjoyed every song on the CD!! He still continues to amaze me with that silky voice. He's a legend....

It really swings.......2007-07-14

All classics with new voices. I bought it after seeing the special on PBS.

Average customer rating: I almost died laughing. It will have you ROTFLOL. "Weird Al" comes "Straight Outta Lynwood" and right onto the Billboard charts Loved it!! "That's not why I bought this album"

Straight Outta Lynwood Weird Al Yankovic Manufacturer: Volcano ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | Pop | Styles | Music Pop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music General | Miscellaneous | Styles | Music General | Comedy | Miscellaneous | Styles | Music Novelty Music | Comedic Music | Comedy | Miscellaneous | Styles | Music General | Comedic Music | Comedy | Miscellaneous | Styles | Music Comedy Rock | Comedic Music | Comedy | Miscellaneous | Styles | Music Similar Items: Weird Al Yankovic - The Ultimate Video Collection Poodle Hat The Weird Al Show - The Complete Series Running With Scissors Weird Al Yankovic - Greatest Hits, Volume 2 ASIN: B000H9HWSM Release Date: 2006-09-26

Tracks:

1. White & Nerdy
2. Pancreas
3. Canadian Idiot
4. I'll Sue Ya'
5. Polkarama!
6. Virus Alert
7. Confessions Part III
8. Weasel Stomping Day
9. Close But No Cigar
10. Do I Creep You Out
11. Trapped In The Drive-Thru
12. Don't Download This Song

Tracks:

1. Don't Download This Song
2. I'll Sue Ya'
3. Virus Alert
4. Close But No Cigar
5. Pancreas
6. Weasel Stomping Day

Amazon.com

All hail the return of novelty music's reigning king! Straight Outta Lynwood easily bests 2003's Poodle Hat and shows that Yankovic does know what he does best. Part of the secret to Weird Al's success is that he's never been very weird at all, and very rarely are his satires in any way "biting"--or even satires, really. The 11-minute parody of R. Kelly's "Trapped in the Closet" is funny at least for the first listen, but it's hard to ridicule something so largely ridiculous in the first place (plus Jimmy Kimmel totally got the jump on him). The best thing Mr. Yankovic has always done is to take some decent pop tune, change a word or phrase, invent an entirely new premise for the tune, and make an inspired video to go along with it. He does that several times here; Green Day's "American Idiot" becomes the hockey-obsessed "Canadian Idiot," and "White & Nerdy" is a truly inspired take on Chamillionaire's "Ridin'." That song (and video, included here on the dual-disc CD/DVD) is breakneck-paced and so funny it's a disservice to quote from it at all. "Polkarama!" is a return to W.A.'s novelty roots: a handful of mildly dated hit songs (50 Cent to Modest Mouse!) delivered in straight-ahead, sped-up polka style. It's toe-tapping and sweet. Hopefully we'll not have to wait three years for another Weird Al record. --Mike McGonigal

Album Description

"Weird Al" continues to reward his countless fans around the globe with yet another collection of insanely incisive musical comedy. As a special bonus, Straight Outta Lynwood will be available on DualDisc. which will include all original animations of all Al's original tracks! All-star animations include Academy Award nominee Bill Plympton, John Kricfalusi (Ren and Stimpy), Seth Green and Matt Senreich (Robot Chicken/Adult Swim, Family Guy). Also featured are Karaoke versions of the entire album including a scrolling lyric sheet for each track. As if that wasn't enough the Dual Disc also contains a behind-the-scenes featurette. All of this in a 5.1 Dolby mix of the entire album!

Customer Reviews:

I almost died laughing........2007-06-28

I listened to this album for the first time tonight. Eleven years ago tonight, a friend got us tickets to a Weird Al concert. While driving home from the concert, we had a car accident and he died. After the first verse of "I'll Sue Ya," I seriously wondered if I might die laughing and join him!

I'll go through track by track:
White and Nerdy: Funny, I've heard this before so it didn't seem as new, but as a computer programmer I got a lot of good laughs. And I do hand-code HTML4!
Pancreas: Another novelty artist named Mindless Drug Hoover released a song with the same name and a similar concept. I wondered if by some weird hand of Eris, Weird Al had done the same song, but nope! He did something even more insane, even tying in things like gravity.
Canadian Idiot: I don't listen to much pop music, so haven't heard the originals, but another fun song making fun of racism. Everyone bags on Canadians anyway. One note: Weird Al even parodies the war.
I'll Sue Ya: Okay, here we go, definitely a favorite song. As said, after the first verse I wondered if I would join my friend, and if I could even handle a second verse! I did leave Earthlink, because I became dissatisfied with their tech support, so that struck a chord. Everyone has had issues with Verizon. And don't even mention New Jersey! I see this listed as an original song, but it sounds like a song done in the style of Rage against the Machine. Perfect! I really enjoy it when he doesn't parody a song per se, but parodies a group or style. This has always brought out his creativity. Sadly, some of the ridiculous things he yells out have actually happened (a guy sued someone for breaking his ankle while robbing his place.) I love this song!
Polkarama: Another classic Polka tune. As said I don't listen to much popular music, so for me these Polka songs provide a good insulated way to absorb the dirtier music of this time. I'll stick with these versions!
Virus Alert: Another great computer song! The main part would make a great sound alert. It has one of those catchy melodies and concepts that will just stay in your head for days, especially the next time your antivirus software alerts you with a new update! Virus Alert! (You could, of course, just use Linux, but we'll save that for another rant.)
Confession Part III: I don't know if he parodied a song here, or simply parodied the style of the current music, but either way he did a hilarious job. Every guy will love the last spoken line of the song.
Weasel Stomping Day: A little silly song, not much to say, but have fun!
Close but No Cigar: Okay, now I have a confession to make. I downloaded this album on bittorrent, and this song didn't play, so I did not hear it. I feel doubly glad I bought the CD.
Do I Creep You Out: Okay, I've heard the original, but can't put my finger on it. In a silly way, I consider this a song from every guy to every girl!
Trapped in the Drive Thru: I've heard the original referenced, and saw the South Park episode, an can imagine the original. This song treks in at around eleven minutes, and it does sort of go on, fut for me, this just added to the theme of the song, a tedius hunger-driven trip to the drive thru.
Don't Download this Song: A great capper for the album. Doubly funny since my downloaded copy missed a track, as if to underscore the point. It reminds me of the South Park episode which covered this theme. Buy my CD so I can afford a diamond-studded swimming pool. Classic!

In summary, I love this album, and consider it one of his best. I know my friend would have loved it too! Through various events, I know Weird Al as a very compassionate human being, and in his own way, a visionary.

It will have you ROTFLOL........2007-06-24

I've been a fan of "Weird Al" Yankovic for 24 years now. After all these years, he's still as funny as ever (or perhaps my sense of humor hasn't matured since I was a teenager). If you are a fan of Al, you pretty much know what you're going to get on an album; about an equal number of parodies and original songs, plus a polka medley of recent hits. Hey, it's a proven formula, so why mess with it? This is a very funny album. "White & Nerdy" is probably the funniest song, but all of them are at least somewhat funny. Go and buy the CD like you know that you should.

"Weird Al" comes "Straight Outta Lynwood" and right onto the Billboard charts.......2007-06-10

I picked up this CD because "Weird Al" Yankovic is coming to town and I have tickets to go with my daughters (do not tell them, but we have seats in the front row, just left of center so I can hear with my one good ear). When I was a kid most of the records I had were Smothers Brothers records, I had a teacher who played Spike Jones songs for us, my father taped several Allan Sherman albums for us, and in college I discovered Dr. Demento and Tom Lehrer (not necessarily in that order). So I am a big fan of musical parodies and there can be no doubt that Yankovic is the Shakespeare of that peculiar little niche of the music business. I consider "The Saga Begins" to be his magnum opus and in looking at his body of work what is impressive is not only his longevity but the way his work has improved from those early days when it was just him on accordion and Jon "Bermuda" Schwartz banging on the accordion case.

It turns out that "Straight Outta Lynwood" is Yankovic's most successful album of all time and his most successful single with "White & Nerdy" making it all the way to #9 on the Billboard Hot 100 ("Eat It" was his previous top single which made it to #12). I still think "Running With Scissors" is his best album, but I am definitely heartened to know Yankovic is going strong. With albums coming out every three or four years he appears to have found his stride. There is the obligatory polka medley and several new style parodies, with "Pancreas" (Brian Wilson), "I'll Sue Ya" (Rage Against the Machine), "Virus Alert" (Sparks), "Close But No Cigar" (Cake), and "Don't Download This Song" (fundraiser songs). The surprise is that I liked the style parodies more than I did the parodies of particular songs, which is obviously turning my "Weird Al" universe upside down.

My only problem with this album is clearly my personal problem because with the exception of "Canadian Idiot" I had to look at the liner notes to find out which songs were parodies and which were originals. The fact that I had not heard (or perhaps only not remembered) "White & Nerdy" is a parody of "Ridin'" by Chamillionaire (featuring Krayzie Bone) was received with jaw-dropping astonishment by my daughters. I am down to recognizing only three songs out of 14 in the album's pokla medley, "Polkarama!" ("Let's Get it Started," "Don't Cha," and "Pon de Replay"). I had forgotten that Taylor Hicks had done "Do I Make You Proud," but I do not think I am alone in that regard. But I had no idea "Trapped in the Drive-Thru" is based on a R. Kelly song, although I did recognize Led Zeppelin's "Black Dog" when it popped up.

Flip over the CD and you get to the DVD, which has animated videos for all of the original songs, namely: "Don't Download This Song," "I'll Sue Ya," "Virus Alert," "Close But No Cigar," "Pancreas" and "Weasel Stomping Day." The videos for "White & Nerdy," "Do I Creep Your Out," "Canadian Idiot," and "Trapped in the Drive-Thru" are all for parodies and for some reason that justified exclusion (insert pout here). The videos are followed by a short documentary that simply shows Yankovic and his band recording some of the songs and paying testament to his attention to detail. You can also listen to the entire album with the lyrics as subtitles, each song accompanied by a photograph of Yankovic from infancy to young adulthood (his parents liked the triple image option). Finally, you can do the karaoke function and get the music and the lyrics so you can sing the songs yourself. Consequently, there are enough extras here to justify rounding up on the disc overall.

Concert Update: So last night "Weird Al" came to town and as I suspected they set up two rows in the orchestra pit for winners of radio contests for tickets (sigh). But during one of the songs (that does not appear on any of the albums) he came down in the audience. Al was singing to the women in the audience but when he was walking in front of it was all dads and kids, so he sang to my oldest daughter (she just got accepted into the Peace Corp to go do what she wants to do where she wants to do it so she is having a good week). We also picked up over a thousand dollars in "Weird Al" money. For the record, he does complete versions of five songs from this album (1, 3, 4, 5, 9), excerpts from three more (7, 10, 11), and one music video (8).

Loved it!!.......2007-05-29

I'll be the first to admit that some of these songs DID NOT catch on with me right away!! In fact at first I thought this would be the first Weird Al Album I bought that I would not enjoy very much.... I WAS WRONG!!! After a few listens these songs really grew on me!!
I loved "White and Nerdy" straight away (I am White and Nerdy accorging to my wife) and the song nails a few asects of the nerd culture that I perssonally have seen or experienced so it was quite a treat!
"Pancreas" is an AWESOME tribute to Brian Wilson and his style of music (if you are too young to know who Mr. Wilson is....listen to the beach boys and check out some of his own albums).
I also thought "Canadian Idiot" was great!! Being a Floridian and knowing a bunch of seasonal Canadians it was rather funny and hit home!!
Close But No Cigar was an excellent song that was an abvious style parody of CAKE. Loved the words to the song and the little flaws that made him break up with each gorgeous woman!!
I could list reasons for liking all the songs but I don't want to take up too much space!! Let me just say that you will love this album as long as you give it a chance!!
Don't forget to visit Weird Al's website and get the free parody "You're Pitiful" (parody of "You're Beautiful") which was originally going to be on the album but was tanked at the last minute do to record company lawyers.

One more thing. This album is a dual disc. One side plays as a DVD the other as a CD. This disc MAY NOT play in certain drives or DC players so just be careful!!
The videos were hilarious though!!

"That's not why I bought this album".......2007-05-26

I'm here to tell ya, there are a lot very good reasons to buy this album. But most of them are not why I bought this album.

Sure Al's parodies are all great fun, but that's not why I bought this album. Sure this whole album is fraught with hilarity, but that's not why a bought this album. I didn't even buy this album because of all the cool video's included. IT'S THE MUSIC, MAN. That's why I bought this album. Can this Al guy sing or what - even if he is a little weird. (Although, I'm not too sure about the weird part, but that's what Al keeps telling everyone so I'll go along with it.)

Case in point; So there I was, sitting in my mini van at a red light, jamming to the music, not really paying any attention to the lyrics, just enjoying the sounds the band and singers were putting out. With my head bobbin' to the beat and hands drumming on the steering wheel, I noticed an elderly lady in the car next to me looking my way. She seemed to have an air of disdain about her at seeing a gentleman of my years acting like some dang fool kid. That very moment is when my ears picked up on the words "I blew my nose and wiped it on your cat". The lyric caught me totally off guard and I spontaneously burst into laughter. Seeing that, the lady snapped her head forward, stomped on the accelerator and speed through the red light trying to get away from that dang fool (being myself) as fast as she could.

Well, I guess that probably isn't why you should by this album either, but I can tell ya... This double CD sure is a lot of fun and you will absolutely enjoy the music.

Jim

Average customer rating: Is it bad to say I like this better than the original soundtrack? Absolutely Exquisite Yo Yo Ma and the Maestro Marvelous!!! Better Every Time Fabulous CD

Yo-Yo Ma Plays Ennio Morricone Manufacturer: Sony ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Ma, Yo-Yo | ( M ) | Featured Performers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music General | Symphonies | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical | Styles | Music Movie Scores | Soundtracks | Styles | Music Movie Soundtracks | Soundtracks | Styles | Music General | Soundtracks | Styles | Music Classical Instrumental Music | The Sony BMG Masterworks Store | Amazon.com Label Stores | Stores | Music Sony | Computers Brands | Computers Features | Electronics | Desktops | Monitors | Networking | Notebooks Similar Items: The Mission: Original Soundtrack From The Motion Picture The Essential Yo-Yo Ma Obrigado Brazil Appassionato Vivaldi's Cello ASIN: B0002YCVXI Release Date: 2004-09-28

Tracks:

1. The Mission: Gabriel's Oboe
2. The Mission: The Falls
3. Giuseppe Tornatore Suite: Playing Love from The Legend of 1900
4. Giuseppe Tornatore Suite: Nostalgia from Cinema Paradiso
5. Giuseppe Tornatore Suite: Looking for You (Love Theme) from Cinema Paradiso
6. Giuseppe Tornatore Suite: Malena (Main theme)
7. Giuseppe Tornatore Suite: Remembering (Ricordare)*
8. Sergio Leone Suite: Deborah's Theme from Once Upon A Time In America
9. Sergio Leone Suite: Cockeye's Song from Once Upon a Time in America
10. Sergio Leone Suite: Main Theme from Once Upon a Time in America
11. Sergio Leone Suite: Main Theme from Once Upon a Time in the West
12. Sergio Leone Suite: Ecstasy of Gold from The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly
13. Brian DePalma Suite: Main Theme from Casualities of War
14. Brian DePalma Suite: Death Theme from The Untouchables
15. Moses and Marco Polo Suite: Journey from Moses
16. Moses and Marco Polo Suite: Theme from Moses
17. Moses and Marco Polo Suite: Main Theme from Marco Polo
18. The Lady Caliph: Dinner
19. The Lady Caliph: Nocturne

Amazon.com

Ennio Morricone is well-known to moviegoers. His soundtracks for The Mission, The Good, the Bad and the Ugly, Once Upon a Time in America, Cinema Paradiso, and others are invariably warmly melodic and superbly suited to the films they grace. They not only add atmosphere; they help tell the story. For this CD Morricone has created new orchestrations for many of his scores, adding a solo cello part for the indefatigable Yo-Yo Ma, whose musical curiosity seems to be endless. Outside the films, these pieces tend to be lovely melodies, mostly pretty sentimental stuff, and, in the best way, gorgeous aural wallpaper. The most moving are the two selections from The Mission, but fans of Morricone's music will find plenty to enjoy here. Ma's playing, as always, is exquisite---warm, deeply felt (given the circumstances), and entirely idiomatic within the context. Perhaps not quite for the classical music lover, but an affectionate reworking of music by an important film composer. --Robert Levine

Customer Reviews:

Is it bad to say I like this better than the original soundtrack?.......2007-06-02

I never thought Yo-Yo Ma would do Gabriel's Oboe (Track 1) from THE MISSION justice, but I was wrong. There's a pureness to this version that makes it easier casual listening than the version(s) on the soundtrack CD itself. So no matter how much I love the theatrical "largeness" of the Original Soundtrack (not to mention the full choir), this is the version I grab for the CD player/iPod/whatever.

My two other recommendations are Main Theme from ONCE UPON A TIME IN THE WEST (Track 11) and Ecstasy of Gold from THE GOOD, THE BAD, AND THE UGLY (Track 12). I suggest playing these consecutively as a single medley. Track 11 *WILL* bring tears to the manliest among us --particularly if you remember in the movie where Sergio Leone pulls the camera up to reveal the town rising.

I get the feeling "hardcore" classical fans would dismiss movie scores as commercial work. I truly believe Ennio Morricone transcends that. Even moreso than, say, John Williams, and on a different plane than a Danny Elfman. And I can't say more about the emotion Yo-Yo Ma brings to the table than what's already been discussed.

Absolutely Exquisite.......2007-05-15

The combination of Morricone and Ma is pure perfection. This CD fills my heart with so much joy that I could just cry. I listen to it almost daily and have given it away as a gift to my loved ones. I am captivated by their incredible talents, and I know you will be too.

Yo Yo Ma and the Maestro Marvelous!!!.......2007-05-13

Having recently succumbed to Yo Yo Ma after a longtime love of Ennio Marricone I was excited to get this CD from Amazon. It is superb! All of the songs had to be recrafted by Morricone to suit Yo Yo Ma but it is a great listen as you sonically travel down memory lane through some of Maestro Moricone's musical marvels. "Gabriel's Oboe" from "The Mission" now becomes "Gabriel's Cello." I laugh as Yo Yo Ma bows his brains out on the "Ecstacy of Gold' from "The Good,The Bad, and The Ugly." I recommend this to all Yo Yo Ma and Morricone fans...a great listen. Soothing after a hard day!

Better Every Time.......2007-05-09

This CD gets better with every listening. It was a great purchase.

Fabulous CD.......2007-05-07

I love Morricone and this CD has some of the best versions of my favorite pieces. I have ordered several as gifts for friends.

Average customer rating: Simply beautiful CD has missing track Disappointed Worth Buying! Great Album

Out Of Africa: Music From The Motion Picture Soundtrack Manufacturer: Mca ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD All Works by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart | Mozart, Wolfgang Amadeus | ( M ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music General | Concertos | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical (c.1770-1830) | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music Clarinet | Reeds & Winds | Instruments | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical | Styles | Music Movie Scores | Soundtracks | Styles | Music Movie Soundtracks | Soundtracks | Styles | Music General | Soundtracks | Styles | Music General | Vocal Pop | Pop | Styles | Music Pop | Styles | Blowout Music | Stores | Music Soundtracks | Styles | Blowout Music | Stores | Music Classical | Styles | Blowout Music | Stores | Music All Blowout Music | Blowout Music | Stores | Music More Titles at Least 25% Off | Blowout Music | Stores | Music Similar Items: Out of Africa Somewhere In Time: Original Motion Picture Soundtrack Dances with Wolves The Mission: Original Soundtrack From The Motion Picture Legends Of The Fall: Original Motion Picture Soundtrack ASIN: B000002O4X Release Date: 1990-10-25

Tracks:

1. Main Title (I Had A Farm In Africa)
2. I'm Better At Hello (Karen's Theme l)
3. Have You Got A Story For Me
4. Concerto For Clarinet and Orhestra
5. Safari
6. Karen's Journey - Siyawe (African Traditional)
7. Flight Over Africa
8. I Had A Compass From Denys (Karen's Theme II)
9. Alone On The Farm
10. Let The Rest Of The World Go By
11. If I Know A Song Of Africa (Karen's Theme III)
12. End Title (You Are Karen)

Amazon.com essential recording

The great irony of John Barry's Academy Award-winning score for Out of Africa (which also took the Oscar as Best Picture) is that it almost never was; director Sydney Pollack had originally envisioned the film with native African music, going as far as laying the indigenous score down as he was editing. But the weight of John Barry's arguments--not to mention his considerable track record and composing gifts--held sway, and the composer delivered on his intent: a lush, romantic masterpiece for the ages. --Jerry McCulley

Customer Reviews:

Simply beautiful.......2007-01-11

Out of Africa is a CD with beautiful music. When I listen to it, I imagine myself in the nature of Africa. You will enjoy it!

CD has missing track.......2006-12-03

John Barry's compositions are pleasantly sweeping. There's nothing wrong with this album, just not really enough to recommend it.

I was puzzled to learn that some time between my buying the LP record and the issuing of this CD, the track "The Music of Goodbye (love theme from Out of Africa)" was omitted. It's not that this song, sung by Melissa Manchester, is a must-have; it's more that it's sneaky to leave off tracks when you reissue a soundtrack in another format.

Disappointed.......2006-11-10

I absolutely love the music from Out of Africa, but I do not recommend this CD at all. The sound quality is so poor that I could only bear listening to it once.

Worth Buying!.......2006-11-06

Highly recommended for those who love instrumental music. A lot of beautiful flute, strings and some piano and harp. Very contemplative and hauntingly beautiful music.

Great Album.......2006-11-04

For me, one of the best music of last decade. Romantic, full of sense. Please give a listen at least

Average customer rating: Josh is even better in live! Very Good! Let me explain... Re-Live the Concert Experience! DVD is so worth the price

Josh Groban Live at The Greek (CD/DVD) Josh Groban Manufacturer: Reprise / Wea ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | Rock | Styles | Music Movie Soundtracks | Soundtracks | Styles | Music General | Soundtracks | Styles | Music Pop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music General | Adult Contemporary | Pop | Styles | Music Vocal Pop | Live Albums | Pop | Styles | Music General | Vocal Pop | Pop | Styles | Music General | Broadway & Vocalists | Styles | Music Box Sets at 30% Off | Blowout Music | Stores | Music Pop | Styles | Blowout Music | Stores | Music Rock | Styles | Blowout Music | Stores | Music Broadway & Vocalists | Styles | Blowout Music | Stores | Music Soundtracks | Styles | Blowout Music | Stores | Music Classical | Styles | Blowout Music | Stores | Music All Blowout Music | Blowout Music | Stores | Music More Titles at Least 25% Off | Blowout Music | Stores | Music Similar Items: Josh Groban in Concert (with Bonus DVD) Closer Josh Groban Awake With You ASIN: B00063LTH4 Release Date: 2004-11-30

Tracks:

1. Oceano
2. Mi Mancherai (il postino)
3. Mi Morena
4. Canto Alla Vita
5. Remember When It Rained
6. Remember
7. America
8. Never Let Go

Tracks:

1. Oceano
2. Per Te
3. To Where You Are
4. Mi Mancherai (il postino)
5. Mi Morena
6. Alejate
7. Canto Alla Vita
8. Nocturne/Bohemian Rhapsody (performed by Lucia Micarelli)
9. Alla Luce Del Sole (special guest artist: Bela Fleck)
10. My December
11. Caruso
12. Remember When It Rained
13. Vincent (Starry, Starry Night)
14. Remember
15. You Raise Me Up
16. America
17. Never Let Go

Amazon.com

If Josh Groban's unabashedly melodramatic musical fusion inspires grousing on both sides of the classical/pop pundit divide, the screams of the (mostly) young female fans that punctuate these 2004 performances at L.A.'s historic Greek theater better underscore the real point. This set's CD and more expansive DVD complement each other well; if anything, supplemented by a live string ensemble and crack backing band, they're a warmer, more focused showcase for the singer's talents than the studio albums that made his meteoric fame. In peak form, Groban variously delivers forceful renditions of his pop-operatic powerhouses "Canto Alla Vita" and "Anna Luce Del Sole" (the former featuring a drum solo [!] from Groban, the latter a fine guest turn by Bela Fleck on banjo), takes a surprising solo piano break on Paul Simon's "America," waxes Central Asian on Troy's "Remember" and brings the crowd to its feet with the heart-on-his-sleeve dramatics of Closer's "Never Let Go." They're all informed by the singer's insouciant, youthful enthusiasm, arguing that Groban is gifted with more than just a magnificent voice; he's a complete natural as a performer as well. The DVD also includes a tour diary narrated with typical charm by the singer, as well as bonus live performance of "Believe" from the Polar Express soundtrack. --Jerry McCulley

Album Description

Josh Groban's 2002 PBS "Great Performances" special was a #1 selling DVD and the best-selling long-form music video of 2003. His second "Great Performances" special was taped at L.A.'s Greek Theater in the summer of 2004. For fans of the young sophisticated pop phenomenon who has sold more than 8 million albums, this CD+DVD package is just the latest great performance in the career of Josh Groban. DVD Extras: On the road with Josh for Summer 2004 Tour and a special performance of "Believe" from The Polar Express (it's PBS footage mixed w/ film footage).

Customer Reviews:

Josh is even better in live!.......2007-04-14

I recently saw Josh on his new tour with Awake, and it was so awesome that inspired me to buy this DVD to replicate the experience a little bit. I loved it! Especially loved the few extra songs I've never heard before (Mi Morena, America). Some people were complaining about the nasal sound and quality, but this is a live show so of course it sounds a little different. Bottom line is I think Josh is a great preformer and his very funny also :)

Very Good!.......2007-02-09

This CD/DVD was very good. I watched the DVD and was impresed with the way He handles the "spot light." He seems to be a very humble person and I think that is what makes his music so enjoyable to listen to. Not forgetting his awesome voice!

Let me explain..........2007-01-14

There are several reviews that talk about how annoying it is for the fans to wave light sticks and/or American flags in this DVD. Perhaps if I explain why, it will seem less annoying.

The waving of the light sticks was started at the very beginning of his first tour, mainly to show him how much the fans appreciated the concerts. The first idea was to wave them during the last verse of "You Raise Me Up," when the choir came out. Later, fans added another show of support by waving blue light sticks during "Vincent (Starry Starry Night."

OK, if you still find that annoying, that's your right. However, the flag waving at the end of "To Where You Are" was special. This concert was filmed on September 11, and the flags were waved at the end of "To Where You Are" for those who were lost, and the families of those who were lost, on 9/11/2001.

It's your right if you still find these things annoying. I just thought I'd try to help you to understand.

Since this is a forum for giving our opinions of the DVD, I have to say that I love it. He has a beautiful voice and I love listening to him under any circumstance. The DVD is wonderful, IMHO.

Re-Live the Concert Experience!.......2007-01-09

Was fortunate enough to attend Josh's "Closer" concert tour date at Jones Beach--amazing voice. Getting this album brought back all of the memories of that amazing evening outdoors under a "Starry, Starry Night." I used to not bother purchasing live albums because they had poor audio quality, but not anymore. Love this album! (Actually, I love all of his stuff.)

DVD is so worth the price.......2007-01-08

I disagree with some of the reviewers complaining about a nasal sounding CD. Yes, there are few parts where it may sound a little nasal but people have to remember that this a LIVE concert and if they wanted perfect sound they should buy the studio album instead. He still sounded brilliant and great. The DVD is fantastic for all those who don't have the luck or means to attend a Groban concert. It captures the energy and pure joy of a concert. Sometimes its even better than being at the concert because you can see Groban close up. I hope that there will be a concert DVD released for the AWAKE concerts.

Average customer rating: Exquisite Grace Buy This CD Without Hesitation! A New CD by Art is ALWAYS worth waiting for!... Exquisite Vocals, As Always; A Real Pleasure Art is true art!

Some Enchanted Evening Art Garfunkel Manufacturer: Rhino / Wea ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | Pop | Styles | Music Soft Rock | Pop | Styles | Music Pop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music General | Oldies | Pop | Styles | Music Tin Pan Alley | Oldies | Pop | Styles | Music General | Adult Contemporary | Pop | Styles | Music General | Vocal Pop | Pop | Styles | Music Classic | Vocal Pop | Pop | Styles | Music General | Rock | Styles | Music Rhino Records | Amazon.com Label Stores | Stores | Music Pop | Styles | Blowout Music | Stores | Music Rock | Styles | Blowout Music | Stores | Music All Blowout Music | Blowout Music | Stores | Music More Titles at Least 25% Off | Blowout Music | Stores | Music Similar Items: Not Too Late Into White The Best of Art Garfunkel Here & Now At the Movies ASIN: B000KN7BJA Release Date: 2007-01-30

Tracks:

1. I Remember You
2. Someone To Watch Over Me
3. Let's Fall In Love
4. I'm Glad There Is You
5. Quiet Nights Of Quiet Stars
6. Easy Living
7. I've Grown Accustomed To Her Face
8. You Stepped Out of a Dream
9. Some Enchanted Evening
10. It Could Happen to You
11. Life Is But a Dream
12. What'll I Do
13. If I Loved You

Amazon.com

The angelic half of Simon & Garfunkel may seem predictable in following Rod Stewart and other Baby Boomers on a romp through the Great American Songbook, but Art would have us think his foray is more inspired, more poetic than that, as he sprinkles the inside of his CD jacket with a series of confessional statements. In the first, he informs us he made the album under the "sway" of Chet Baker and Johnny Mathis, and in the second gives even pretentious novelist Jeanette Winterson a run for her money: "It wasn't Monet, it was France; It's not what we say, but the dance we're in." All right, then, but Some Enchanted Evening should also come with a warning sticker: Do not play while operating heavy machinery. In a cotton-soft voice, Garfunkel moves through works by Johnny Mercer, George Gershwin, Harold Arlen, and Rodgers and Hammerstein as if he's the spokesperson for Prozac Nation. One may applaud his Everyman's approach to material "owned" by Frank Sinatra, Tony Bennett, and Rosemary Clooney, but he has tried to build a bridge over... well, not troubled, but complex and emotionally swirling waters, and in this framework, he simply hasn't the phrasing or the interpretative moxie to pull it off. When he sings "I'm so in love" on "Easy Living," he's so passionless he might as well be wooing a canary; likewise, his take on "I've Grown Accustomed to Her Face" sounds positively lobotomized. Producer Richard Perry (Barbra Streisand, Carly Simon, Garfunkel's own 1975 Breakaway) tries to compensate by updating the approach--employing synth strings, for example, instead of an orchestra--and tweaking the arrangements with contemporary fusion. But even that is wrong-headed: A pedal steel guitar should not be in the same universe with a clarinet. What were they thinking? --Alanna Nash

Album Description

On this album, this legendary vocalist lends his artistry to some of the best loved and most sophisticated selections in the American popular songbook.

Customer Reviews:

Exquisite Grace.......2007-05-29

"Some Enchanted Evening" touches me with Art's loving renditions of these songs, most of which I have heard by other artists. Art's vocals embrace the lyrics and wrench deep meaning from them. On the Irving Berlin classic "What'll I Do," his quiet vocals are familiar territory for anyone who has ever tried to mend from a broken heart, "What'll I do with just a photograph to tell my troubles to?" I was not familiar with Antonio Carlos Jobim's "Quiet Nights of Quiet Stars (Corcovado)." Art's version is quintessentially romantic, like a sweet Brazilian embrace, "I who was lost & lonely, believing life was only a bitter tragic joke have found with you the meaning of existence, oh my love." What ambrosia! The Harold Arlen song "Let's Fall in Love" is reinvigorated with Art's breezy vocals hitting the higher register and Maia Sharp's gorgeous sax solo sending the track into the stratosphere. There are many other excellent performances on this delightful CD like the Gershwins' "Someone to Watch Over Me" & the Rodgers & Hammerstein classic that is the title track. This is a mellow mood CD, but done with such exquisite grace that it can't help but put a smile on your face. Enjoy!

Buy This CD Without Hesitation!.......2007-05-05

Alanna Nash - shame on you for such a nasty review of this exquisite CD - who lit the fuse to your tampon the day you wrote such trash. As a fan for many years of Art, I find his voice to be in superlative form for this endeavor, and the orchestrations are gorgeous without overwhelming his well-known calming voice. It's true, others have benefited by producing Rod Stewartesque compilations, mostly unsuccessfully. These songs are fresh and new again with a style only Art could give. What were the producer's thinking you ask?... perhaps that us yuppies, who like this style of music and can AFFORD to buy would enjoy! They were right on.

A New CD by Art is ALWAYS worth waiting for!..........2007-04-03

...and this one is no exception! Like so many other singers today...Rod Stewart, Linda Ronstadt and Barry Manilow among them...Art Garfunkel has recorded a complete album of the great standards, and these songs fit his timeless voice just beautifully! What is so amazing is that Art's voice just doesn't seem to age! He sounds pretty much the same as he did on the first Simon and Garfunkel LP "Wednesday Morning, 3 A.M."! There isn't one track here that will dissapoint...every one is a winner! For those who aren't aware, there is a special pressing of this CD sold only at Target stores that features a bonus track called "While We're Young". This is a really nice tune as well, so go down to Target if you can and get this great CD with the extra track!

Exquisite Vocals, As Always; A Real Pleasure.......2007-03-24

Art Garfunkel's first release since 2002's stunning Everything Waits to Be Noticed takes us on an entirely different sort of musical journey. His previous effort offered Art's first tentative ventures into songwriting, with excellent results; on the new disc, he dips into The Great American Songbook, as contemporaries as diverse as Rod Stewart, Linda Rondstadt and Cyndi Lauper have done before him. What emerges is another fine album. Even at age 65, Artie has maintained his magnificent high tenor, which is as soaring and heart-stopping now as it was forty-some years ago. It is upon the timeless beauty of that voice that "Some Enchanted Evening" is built. Critics have complained that these renditions lack the swaggering emotional bravado that the likes of Frank Sinatra or Tony Bennett (among others) have brought to this same material. While there is some validity to this observation, it is beside the point. Set to pristine arrangements by veteran producer Richard Perry (Breakaway), Garfunkel's voice shines. He makes these songs his own. Blessed with such an instrument, he need do no more.

Art is true art!.......2007-03-20

Great album for the now gen. Haven't heard music like this. newly recorded, in years. Very good vocalization by the oldtimer! Recommend highly.

Average customer rating: One of the best pick it up. Hit Machines SIREN SONG OF THE COUNTER CULTURE - CD ALBUM Very good album

Siren Song of the Counter Culture Rise Against Manufacturer: Dreamworks ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music Hardcore | Hardcore & Punk | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music Punk | Hardcore & Punk | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music Punk Revival | Hardcore & Punk | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music General | Rock | Styles | Music Pop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music CDs $7 - $10 | Punk | Hardcore & Punk | Alternative Rock | Today's Deals in Music | Formats | Music 4-for-3 Alternative Rock | 4-for-3 Music | Stores | Music 4-for-3 Pop | 4-for-3 Music | Stores | Music 4-for-3 Rock | 4-for-3 Music | Stores | Music 4-for-3 All Music | 4-for-3 Music | Stores | Music Similar Items: The Sufferer & the Witness Revolutions Per Minute The Unraveling Decemberunderground Sing the Sorrow ASIN: B0002KQOGW Release Date: 2004-08-10

Tracks:

1. State Of The Union
2. The First Drop
3. Life Less Frightening
4. Paper Wings
5. Blood To Bleed
6. To Them These Streets Belong
7. Tip The Scales
8. Anywhere But Here
9. Give It All
10. Dancing For Rain
11. Swing Life Away
12. Rumors Of My Demise Have Been Greatly Exaggerated

Album Description

Rise Against are a political punk band from Chicago who recorded Siren Song of the Counter-Culture with Rage Against the Machine producer GGGarth and Rage and Nirvana mixer Andy Wallace. The four band members came together from punk bands 88 Fingers Louie, Pinhead Circus, and the Enemy, and the emo band Baxter, and play old school punk (e.g., Descendants) with a strong political point of view.

Siren Song of the Counter-Culture has drawn rave reviews from key publications. Rolling Stone praised the band's "rousing, intelligent fury," while Alternative Press said "the band's engrossing hardcore is an urgent siren song that's appropriate for these angst-ridden, uncertain times."

Customer Reviews:

One of the best.......2007-07-29

This album is very high on my all-time favorites list. Where to start? It is sooo good that I truly believe people are idiots or lying or both if they say they don't like this. Energy, melody and power. Rise Against can do it all. They sing about important things too. How can you not love this band?? Not a single average song...all are great. I listen to a lot of music and these guys are still one of my faves.

pick it up........2007-07-25

i really enjoy this cd. its been a while since i bought a new punk cd. it enjoys some of melody elements of afi. it has less of the recent clean punk sound that can be heard on mtv. this still has some good aggressive singing with good points calm....
enjoy.

Hit Machines.......2007-06-08

Rise Against is such a versatile band. This CD alone has 3 hit songs on it, each being completely different from the next.

SIREN SONG OF THE COUNTER CULTURE - CD ALBUM.......2007-05-13

LATELY I BOUGHT THIS ALBUM OF RISE AGAINST. THE SERVICE OF AMAZON WAS AMAZING AND VERY QUICK, EVEN SAFE IN HANDLING THE CD. THE ALBUM IS JUST FABULOUS! I HEARD IT MILLIONS OF TIMES, BUT THE SONGS ARE FANTASTIC EVERY TIME I HEAR THEM! GOOD JOB!

Very good album.......2007-05-10

This is a really good CD to get if you are into the whole pop-emo thing. I wouldn't label this as punk (like Sex Pistols or Misfits) because it's more melodic. It's more along the lines of New Found Glory or maybe Pennywise or Bad Religion. It's probably realitively easy to find an mp3 for "Life Less Frightening", which is in my opinion the best song off the CD. If you like the aforementioned bands, then definitely get this, as you won't be disappointed.

Average customer rating: Soviet Army Band & Chorus aren't taking any prisoners! Good music. Magnificent! I loved it! The ultimate collection

Best of the Red Army Choir Red Army Choir Manufacturer: Silva America ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | International | Styles | Music General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music General | Soundtracks | Styles | Music General | Classical | Styles | Music Similar Items: Soviet Army Chorus & Band Russian Favourites The Hunt For Red October: Music From The Original Motion Picture Soundtrack Best of Communism: Revolutionary Songs Echoes of a Red Empire ASIN: B000066RMJ Release Date: 2002-06-25

Tracks:

1. Kalinka
2. Partisan's Song
3. Souliko
4. Korobelniki
5. On The Road (A Soldier's Song)
6. My Country
7. The Red Army Is The Strongest
8. Moscow Nights
9. Along Peterskaia Street
10. Smuglianka
11. Troika Gallop
12. Ah Nastassia
13. Echelon's Song
14. My Army
15. Civil War Songs
16. Bella Ciao

Tracks:

1. National Anthem Of The USSR
2. Oh Fields, My Fields
3. The Cliff
4. The Cossacks
5. In The Central Steppes
6. Gandzia
7. Cossack's Song
8. The Roads
9. Song Of The Volga Boatman
10. Dark Eyes
11. Let's Go
12. The Birch Tree
13. The Road Song
14. The Samovars
15. Varchavianka
16. Slavery And Suffering

Customer Reviews:

Soviet Army Band & Chorus aren't taking any prisoners!.......2007-05-12

If you enjoy a good stiring martial male chorus then spend some time with these guys. They're all graduates of Soviet musical acadamies and any one of them could have graced the top opera houses of the world. You don't have to know any Russian to appreciate this CD. The songs are glorious (just don't translate them -- machine guns, death to foes, etc.), and will make you want to march on Berlin all over again.

Good music........2007-03-09

I had heard a few songs by the Red Army Choir in the past and happened upon this CD set a while back, I found it to be far better than I had hoped and would reccoment it to anyone who enjoys Russian folk music, choir in general, and cultural items from when Russia was still the Soviet Union.

Magnificent!.......2007-02-27

I'm so glad I stumbled onto this.

Spirited, committed, manly singing. Soul-shaking stuff! The ensemble is incisive; soloists are marvelous. The folk melodies are enchanting. The songs--and the singers--are bound up in the cultural fabric of the Cossacks, Tchaikovsky, Prokofiev, Tolstoy, Dostoevsky...on and on.., Chekhov, Trotsky, Nabakov... This music conveys the great romantic, dignified, boistrous soul of the Russian People. (Loosely speaking. Some members of the chorus were presumably of other nationalities once part of the Soviet Union. And some of the songs are not Russian).

I don't speak Russian, but listening to this makes me wish I did. What a beautiful-sounding language it is.

I loved it!.......2007-02-22

Even though I cannot speak Russian, the quality of this choral group is beyond excellent. Many of these pieces are extremely moving and stirring. The rendering of the Soviet anthem and the song "Let's Go" (V'put) come to my mind. "Let's Go" became a huge hit in Russia when it was featured in a movie about the Great Patriotic War, and indeed, hearing it - you can well imagine ranks upon ranks of hard-eyed, grim-faced Soviet soldiers striding into battle against the Wehrmacht.

The ultimate collection.......2004-06-15

Excellent performance by the choir and the orchestra. The grandeur, the charm, and the romance! Great collection of songs, sure to bring back memories!

Average customer rating: a great jazz album. Song for My Father everyone was doing it...but not like this Great music, terrible remastering Hammerin' Funk

Song for My Father Horace Silver Manufacturer: Blue Note Records ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Bebop General | Bebop | Jazz | Styles | Music Hard Bop | Bebop | Jazz | Styles | Music General | Jazz | Styles | Music Soul-Jazz & Boogaloo | Jazz | Styles | Music Blue Note Records | Amazon.com Label Stores | Stores | Music General | Jazz | Indie Music | Stores | Music Bebop | Jazz | Indie Music | Stores | Music Similar Items: Moanin' The Sidewinder Somethin' Else Speak No Evil Maiden Voyage ASIN: B00000IL27 Release Date: 1999-04-20

Tracks:

1. Song For My Father
2. The Natives Are Restless Tonight
3. Calcutta Cutie
4. Que Pasa?
5. The Kicker
6. Lonely Woman
7. Sanctimonious Sam
8. Que Pasa? (Trio Version)
9. Sighin' And Cryin'
10. Silver Treads Among My Soul

Amazon.com essential recording

Since its title track provided the inspiration for Steely Dan's "Rikki, Don't Lose That Number," Song for My Father has become known as the jazz recording that launched a thousand bad rock records. Yet whatever pretensions Steely Dan and their legion of desperately hip imitators had shouldn't be laid at pianist Horace Silver's door: this is one of Blue Note's warmest and most satisfying collections--and that's saying something. A pioneer of the hard-bop style, which combined gospel and R&B with jazz, Silver authored many outstanding compositions, including not just "Song for My Father," but "Opus de Funk," "Nica's Dream," "Senor Blues," and "The Preacher." His quintets, which featured tenor sax and trumpet, spotlighted such up-and-coming talents as trumpeters Woody Shaw, Art Farmer, and Donald Byrd. On Song for My Father, the band features tenorman Joe Henderson, who contributed one of his own signature tunes, "The Kicker." Along with the strong quintet work, the album includes a fine trio feature for the pianist in "Lonely Woman." --Fred Goodman

Album Description

A visit to Brazil prompted Horace Silver's interest in his Portuguese roots and led to the magnificent "Song For My Father," his most enduring composition. This album also introduced his new band with Joe Henderson and Carmell Jones and features the classic band with Blue Mitchell and Junior Cook.

Customer Reviews:

a great jazz album........2007-04-01

i have met people who actually live without this album. whenever i think about that, i always shake my head in wonder. i don't know how they do it.

Song for My Father.......2007-03-14

This is one of the goog works by Horace Silver, with a very good remastering. However , as I did when listening to the Cape Verdean Blues, I couldn't find clear influences of the music from Cape Vede isls, music I'm familiar with.

everyone was doing it...but not like this.......2007-02-11

Horace Silver (b. 1928) is a skillful jazz pianist with a knack for composition, and this album highlights his genius for simplicity that has since become his trademark. The title track pays homage to Horace's Portuguese father from Cape Verde, John Silver. On "Song for My Father", Horace mixes up his own F-minor jazz piece with traditional Cape Verde and Brazilian carnival music. The result sounds a bit like bossa nova/jazz samba, which was popularized a year before on the Stan Getz/Joao Gilberto album of 1963. Everyone was doing it at this time.

Personnel for tracks 1-6:

Carmell Jones (trumpet), Joe Henderson (tenor sax), Horace Silver (piano), Teddy Smith (bass) and Roger Humphries (drums).

Personnel for tracks 7-10 (not on original LP configuration):

Blue Mitchell (trumpet), Junior Cook (tenor sax), Horace Silver (piano), Gene Taylor (bass) and Roy Brooks (drums).

Much of the flavor on this album works its way out from the influence of the title track, while "The Kicker" is a Joe Henderson composition. This Rudy Van Gelder 24-bit remaster sounds wonderful, though it is not necessary to upgrade from the 1990 edition if you are considering it. There aren't any extra materials, aside from new liner notes. The sound is great, but is comparable to the 1990 release. All in all I would purchase this edition only if you do not have the earlier reissue.

Great music, terrible remastering.......2007-02-09

This is definitely a jazz classic, and with the advertised "24-bit remastering", not to mention that it is part of Blue Note's Rudy van Gelder series, I was ready for a sonic treat. However, it was obviously mastered too loud. Looking at the waveform with Cooledit, there's obivously a fair amount of peak clipping on the CD. What a shame to do this to such classic music.

Hammerin' Funk.......2006-04-18

Horace Silver has always been one of my favorite piano players. Though his styling isn't as distinct as chops of Monk, Horace got some Hammerin'Funk of his own. I've always felt that this album is where is talents have been showcased the best. The album opens with his very own brand of deceptively simple Funk. Yet if it's so simple why aren't there more piano players who sound so joyous and free as Horace does on this track. Que Pasa is a fine latin effort. It sounds almost genre defining. You wanna know what Latin Jazz is. It's Que Pasa! Finaly there's lonely woman. A bop classic that listens like a song with full lyric and all. Each time you revisit this song the lyrics are different but always carry a melancholy beauty.

Average customer rating: Sorely Disappointed! Could have been better. Austin may have just found her niche! Gershwin done right! She is a swinger!

Avant Gershwin Patti Austin Manufacturer: Rendezvous ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | Jazz | Styles | Music General | Pop | Styles | Music General | Adult Contemporary | Pop | Styles | Music Contemporary R&B | R&B | Styles | Music General | R&B | Styles | Music General | Soul | R&B | Styles | Music Quiet Storm | R&B | Styles | Music Traditional Vocal Pop | Broadway & Vocalists | Styles | Music Similar Items: for Ella Feeling Good Forever, for Always, for Luther II (Dig) We All Love Ella: Celebrating the First Lady of Song Surrender ASIN: B000IOM0UQ Release Date: 2007-03-06

Tracks:

1. Medley: Overture/Gershwin Medley
2. I'll Build A Stairway To Paradise
3. Who Cares
4. Funny Face
5. Medley: Love Walked In/Love Is Sweeping The Country
6. Swanee
7. Porgy & Bess Medley
8. Lady Be Good

Amazon.com

In this decade of twin musical obsessions--for fond revisits to classic American composers and for all things '80s--it's a wonder Patti Austin hasn't stolen the show with a Great American Songbook set sooner. Her '80s duets--"How Do You Keep the Music Playing" and "Baby Come to Me" among them--remain indelible, and she's already proved she's a worthy interpreter with 2002's justly praised For Ella. Plus, her voice on Avant Gershwin, rich and to the rafters, suggests she's been ready to give this material a spin for decades. From the first moments of "I Got Rhythm," part of the opening "Overture/Gershwin Medley," Austin swings through these songs with the ease and exuberance of a born showman; you can practically see her onstage in a slinky evening gown, arms outstretched, head back, eyes squeezed shut, surges of electric sound all around her. Her "Porgy & Bess Medley" benefits from a manufactured breeziness that suits "A Woman Is a Sometime Thing" and "Summertime" especially well, and her "Swanee" saunters closer to modern sensibilities by replacing the "mammy" of the original with a simple "momma." In addition to Austin's energy, the spirit of jazz gives these numbers juice. The WDR Big Band, which Austin has worked with previously, comes at a tune with a blend of boisterousness and sophistication, and Austin has a way of melting right in. She convincingly makes a case that she may have been born a bit late, but she was made to sing these songs. --Tammy La Gorce

Customer Reviews:

Sorely Disappointed!.......2007-06-27

I think Patti Austin is one of the great talents of our time. However, this offering is terribly disappointing. For me, Gershwin is an icon, and I have heard Ms. Austin render Gershwin before (with Gregory Hines at the Hollywood Bowl). At that venue, she soared, and gave fresh meaning to the words and music of the Gershwins. At that time, I longed to have her do a complete album of Gershwin standards. Sometimes, what one wishes for can be a disaster. Such is the case with this album. The music is compromised by the overly "creative" jazz interpretations, and as a result, the lyrics are equally compromised. The Gershwins were genius. Why do some musicians believe they can "improve" upon that brilliance, simply because George and Ira are not here to challenge such sordid interpretations of their creations? Ms. Austin is lost in the shuffle, and her talent is rendered, for this listener, useless. Wouldn't it be nice if Austin has stayed with the script and done the Gershwins justice? This offering?...and injustice to Austin, George and Ira Gershwin, and to aficionados of the standards. Better luck next time, if there is one.

Could have been better........2007-06-16

Given that it's Patti Austin it's not unfair to expect a lot. Unfortunately, she misses the mark here. As expected there is nothing technically wrong with the album, it's just that the arrangements are lackluster, and the song pairings don't really work.

Incredible voice though.

Austin may have just found her niche!.......2007-06-10

A performer for over thirty years, Patti Austin has done it all: pop, R & B, a little gospel, standards, and even a highly sought after jingle singer. It wasn't until 2002's Grammy-worthy "For Ella" that it appeared that the singer was now getting recognition for her singular vocal style as she paid tribute on that album to one of jazz's greats, Ella Fitzgerald.

Now, five years later, Austin takes on the music of the Ira and George Gershwin, who along with Cole Porter and Irving Berlin, were possibly the greatest songwriters of all time, not just the twentieth century. Backed by a full band and recorded live last year in Germany, Austin lets it all out as she interprets songs that will stand the test of time long after the current chart-toppers have turned to dust.

Austin's vocal instrument is so flexible that she is able to be poignant yet sassy, seductive yet saintly, trashy yet classy, and provocative yet conservative.

She can do it all and really pours it on thick with the opening twelve-minute long "Gershwin Medley" and the equally impressive "Porgy and Bess Medley." Even the remaining songs are lustrous and provide a venue for one of the great songstresses of the last and this century.

Austin is just hitting her prime and, besides her singing, she has a new look, having shed some pounds and getting a makeover.

When one looks at the singer, glamorously decked out and coiffed on the back cover, one can only exclaim, "D**N! She looks just as good as she sounds."

Gershwin done right!.......2007-06-09

I've been a fan of Patti Austin's magnificent voice since the time she was doing great songs in the pop/R&B vein like "Baby Come to Me." Since she released the fantastic "For Ella" - and now this one - I am in love all over again.

Using the Gershwin songbook as a springboard, Patti and the amazing WDR Big Band/Orchestra (under Michael Abene's brilliant direction) compliment each other all the way. I loved the unique approach taken by both vocalist and arranger, and the live audience recording was right on the mark!

Patti, the music was amazing - and so were the photos!

She is a swinger!.......2007-06-03

I'm a great fan of Patti... I don't like very much swing and live but I had to buy her new album! I prefer the old albums, but I admit I've never heard Patti singing so good.

Rock Music:

1. Soul Pools
2. Sweet Rhodes [Import]
3. Sweet Singer of Israel
4. The Very Best of Ireland's World Champion Pipe Bands
5. Transpiracao Continua E Prolongada [Import]
6. Trugbild [Import]
7. Uma Beleza Estranha [Import]
8. Un Po' Artista Un Po' No [Import]
9. Untitled [Import]
10. Vince Taylor et ses Playboys, Vol. 1 [Import]

Rock Music

rock music

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Lachner: String Quartet in Am Op105; String Quartet in F Op43

Locatelli: Flute Sonatas Op. 2 Vol. 2

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Junglized: The Album

Lady Sings The Blues (1972 Film) [Soundtrack]

Jhaptal - Tabla for Accompaniment or Practice

Live at Carnegie Hall [Live] [Import]

John Long

Hommage A Piazzolla

Live at Montreux [Live]

Latin Music: 11 Numeros Uno [Enhanced]

Frente a Frente

Hazy Shade of Criminal

Mas Canciones